[As Christians we profess to have accepted the Saviour's in\atation ; and to feast at his table here as an earnest of that richer feast above. But have vs^e indeed received Christ as our righteousness^? Are we also renewed by his Spirit in our inward man " ? We may easily deceive those who minister to us here below ; but " the King, who will come in to see the guests," can never be deceived. However specious a garb we may have prepared for ourselves, he will easily distinguish it from that which he has given to his people. Nor would he fail to discover the hypocrite, even if there were only one to be found in his whole Church. Surely then it becomes us to guard against self-deception. We may now obtain from him a meetness to feast with his chosen ; but if we persist in our delusion, we shall find him inexorably severe.]
2. For consolation —
[Some perhaps are troubled on account of their past pre- sumption ; especially, that they have unworthily communicated at the Lord's table. Well indeed may such guilt fill them with compunction ; but, however presumptuously we have acted in past times, we have no reason to despond. A wedding garment is now offered to all who see their need of it. Though we were of the poorest or vilest of mankind, it should not be withheld from us: nor, however many guests may come, will there be any deficiency of raiment for them all. Let all then accept the free invitation of the Gospel, and thankfully put on the garment which the Master of the feast has prepared for them. Thus, thougli unworthy in themselves, they shall be accounted worthy through Christ, and shall sit down for ever at the marriage feast in heaven.]
" 2 Cor. v. 21. Jer. xxiii. 6. ^2 Cor. iv. IG.